I just got done watching the 1978 and 1979 SB's in their original broadcast. A friend
of mine put them on a DVD for me. They even include the pre game, halftime, an post
game shows. Kind of cool to watch it all happen again in real game mode and not just highlight videos. At any rate, I also pulled up the stats on the computer while I was watching the game. I noticed something very bizarre. It is so bizarre, that I am not sure that the 78 team was the best of their teams. Check this out.

Listed above is the yards per carry averages for Franco throughout his prime. For the life of me I cannot figure out why he bottomed out in 1978. We know that in 1978 the passing game opened up due to the 5 yard chuck rule. But I just can't see why that would hurt Franco's YPC average. If anything, you would like to think better passing game might open stuff up for the run. Anyone care to take a guess what happened?

SteelHoss

07-19-2008, 07:07 PM

Just a wild guess, but your stats from Franco's later years kind of reflect what I remember. Instead of hitting the hole Franco began picking and stutter stepping. His delays of course cost him yardage. He just didn't seem to run nearly as hard. Maybe your videos reflect this. :?:

NKySteeler

07-19-2008, 07:40 PM

Not a clue Msm... Maybe they were using the passing game more, so more focus was placed by opposing defenses. Yes, yes, yes, I know what you're thinking, but as the prime target coming out of the backfield whe they did run a rushing play, he could have drawn more emphasis, thus shut-down more often.

I agree with Hosss' opinion about Francos' "later years", and maybe part of that was to to the team change as well as age taking it's course...

Mr Smartmonies

07-19-2008, 08:51 PM

Just a wild guess, but your stats from Franco's later years kind of reflect what I remember. Instead of hitting the hole Franco began picking and stutter stepping. His delays of course cost him yardage. He just didn't seem to run nearly as hard. Maybe your videos reflect this. :?:

Hoss, I hear ya. I remember Franco and the Dancing as we called it. But what I find bizarre is that he bottomed out in 78, yet came back with 4.4 and a few more years of 4.0 +. I am wondering if there was an injury or a change i nthe offensive line for the 78 season. Maybe even the 76 & 77 season too.If you look at the curve , his went from 4.8 in 74, 75, to 3.9 (big drop) in 76 & 77, to the cellar in 78 (3.5) , then back up (4.4) 79.

BigLebowski

07-20-2008, 08:40 AM

Just a wild guess, but your stats from Franco's later years kind of reflect what I remember. Instead of hitting the hole Franco began picking and stutter stepping. His delays of course cost him yardage. He just didn't seem to run nearly as hard. Maybe your videos reflect this. :?:

Hoss, I hear ya. I remember Franco and the Dancing as we called it. But what I find bizarre is that he bottomed out in 78, yet came back with 4.4 and a few more years of 4.0 +. I am wondering if there was an injury or a change i nthe offensive line for the 78 season. Maybe even the 76 & 77 season too.If you look at the curve , his went from 4.8 in 74, 75, to 3.9 (big drop) in 76 & 77, to the cellar in 78 (3.5) , then back up (4.4) 79.

I was thinking the same thing about the OL, too, MSM, if only because Rocky's YPC was below 4.0 as well. I was looking for some info, and could not find anything. So I guess the only person with that answer is Franco.

BigLebowski

07-20-2008, 08:43 AM

Not saying this had anything to do with it, but all this turmoil happened in 77 and in the offseason before 78.

Ernie Holmes was acquitted of cocaine possession charges; Chuck Noll was cleared of charges brought by George Atkinson over the "criminal element" remarks; and Mel Blount dropped his defamation lawsuit against Noll for including him in the "criminal element," which happened under questioning by Atkinson's lawyer.

In spite of it all, in the NFL, it's turmoil in the locker room that affects the on-field product, and there was plenty at Three Rivers Stadium. A rookie died in a car accident during training camp, Jack Lambert held out, Mel Blount held out. Glen Edwards, Jimmy Allen, Ernie Holmes all moaned about money. Guys walked out and came back, and Noll took them back.

Djfan

07-20-2008, 06:22 PM

Not saying this had anything to do with it, but all this turmoil happened in 77 and in the offseason before 78.

Ernie Holmes was acquitted of cocaine possession charges; Chuck Noll was cleared of charges brought by George Atkinson over the "criminal element" remarks; and Mel Blount dropped his defamation lawsuit against Noll for including him in the "criminal element," which happened under questioning by Atkinson's lawyer.

In spite of it all, in the NFL, it's turmoil in the locker room that affects the on-field product, and there was plenty at Three Rivers Stadium. A rookie died in a car accident during training camp, Jack Lambert held out, Mel Blount held out. Glen Edwards, Jimmy Allen, Ernie Holmes all moaned about money. Guys walked out and came back, and Noll took them back.

Glad I was too young to get interested in the drama back then.

SeaOracle

07-21-2008, 12:42 AM

All I know is that he wasn't too impressive when he started playing for Seattle. 8)

SO

BIG FAN

07-21-2008, 12:45 AM

All I know is that he wasn't too impressive when he started playing for Seattle. 8)

SO

That was a sad move all the way around.
I thought back then, and still do today Franco should have let it go and hung em up.

SteelHoss

07-21-2008, 08:32 AM

All I know is that he wasn't too impressive when he started playing for Seattle. 8)

SO

That was a sad move all the way around.
I thought back then, and still do today Franco should have let it go and hung em up.

Yes it was a sad time. Does anyone remember what Franco got to sign with Seattle?

SteelerSal1

07-21-2008, 10:19 AM

"Harris signed with the Seahawks in early September 1984 to replace star running back Curt Warner, who was lost to a season-ending knee injury in the season opener. But while Harris got the money he had wanted from Pittsburgh, estimated at $550,000 to $600,000, the Seahawks didn't get the running back they sought."

I was totally sick to my stomach when Franco signed with the Seahawks. I'm thankfull that at least he did'nt hold a grudge and he still considers himself a Steeler for life.

SteelHoss

07-21-2008, 10:57 AM

"Harris signed with the Seahawks in early September 1984 to replace star running back Curt Warner, who was lost to a season-ending knee injury in the season opener. But while Harris got the money he had wanted from Pittsburgh, estimated at $550,000 to $600,000, the Seahawks didn't get the running back they sought."

I was totally sick to my stomach when Franco signed with the Seahawks. I'm thankfull that at least he did'nt hold a grudge and he still considers himself a Steeler for life.

Thanks Steeler Sal1. That was a good read with good information. I don't remember ever reading Franco's sentiments in the matter. The article actually made me feel better after all these years. :)

ikestops85

07-21-2008, 11:01 AM

"Harris signed with the Seahawks in early September 1984 to replace star running back Curt Warner, who was lost to a season-ending knee injury in the season opener. But while Harris got the money he had wanted from Pittsburgh, estimated at $550,000 to $600,000, the Seahawks didn't get the running back they sought."

I was totally sick to my stomach when Franco signed with the Seahawks. I'm thankfull that at least he did'nt hold a grudge and he still considers himself a Steeler for life.

As I recall Franco fired his agent for not accepting the Steeler's offer. Evidently Franco was out of the country/'on vacation when the Steelers made their final offer. The agent turned that offer down and the rest is history ... sad history.

Mr Smartmonies

07-21-2008, 01:46 PM

All I know is that he wasn't too impressive when he started playing for Seattle. 8)

SO

he averaged only 2.6 Yards per carry in 3 games with the Seahwks.

Chemsteel

07-21-2008, 02:32 PM

Every football player here realizes the main, contributing reason for a running backs decline in performance; it is injury and pain.

It always amazes me how some ex players (Jim Brown) can criticize a guy like Franco for running out of bounds or going down easy. Franco had more cracked bones and pulled muscles than any of the guys but he continued to play. The only injury that hurt him most were the cracked ribs. He had to be dressed even to sit on the sidelines.

Ask Coach Hoak about Franco.

BigLebowski

07-21-2008, 02:34 PM

All I know is that he wasn't too impressive when he started playing for Seattle. 8)

SO

Agreed, but that was one of my favorite football cards ever for Franco though. Least Valuable, but I loved it as a kid. And to this day I truly don't know why. :oops:

SeaOracle

07-21-2008, 09:38 PM

Here he was sort of a curiosity. Everyone admired him, but we all knew he had nothing left in the tank. It was like when we had Pele come to town to play for a game. It's always great to see a legend come to your town. This brings to mind what Favre is doing. What is he doing anyway? He's going to end up looking pretty sad if he doesn't watch out.